Comments on: Amazon Is Pretty Much Satan

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:31:00 +0000

Well, speaking as a libertarian, I’m not really concerned with the decline in tax flow because most any government is bloated as-is. In fact, I’d challenge local municipalities to cut taxes as a challenge to spend better, so that’s hardly a concern. Major companies, like Best Buy as you know, do donate locally through organizations like United Way. Sure, it might not be individual Girl Scout cookie drives, but even larger retailers still have local connections.

I’m not going to say that online purchasing is completely perfect or to ignore local retailers. I’d rather own a game today over paying $10 less and waiting three days to ship, no challenge. But virtually all media now is in, as you put it, an era of instant gratification, so there’s no excuse at this point to not have it instantly.

By: Brandon Kessler

Brandon Kessler — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:02:00 +0000

You guys forgot one VERY important point: taxes. By shopping local, you are paying a sales tax. That sales tax, along with other taxes, goes to things like roads, schools, parks, and more. Local businesses also donate (at least where I grew up) to local charities like the high school band for instruments, or the wrestling team to travel and compete. This isn’t always the case, especially in franchise stores or chains, but for the true “mom and pop” shop, they usually do more than just feed themselves and their employees, they’ll give back to their community.
And don’t forget about instant gratification. Video Games and Movies and Music can be digitally purchased and distributed, so those are instant gratification at it’s finest. But a new motherboard? Not so much. I’m willing to pay a little more at a local computer store to get my new shiny object faster than if I ordered from Newegg.com or Amazon.com. There are limits, and there is only so much of a premium I’m willing to pay for instant gratification and knowing that my taxes would be fixing a road somewhere. Amazon, or any e-tailer, is not evil, but too many consumers don’t look at a larger picture of where and what their money is doing. All too often they simply click and purchase, and then wonder why the potholes on their street haven’t been repaired yet.

By: Rob Morris

Rob Morris — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:43:00 +0000

Actually, from what I hear, Amazon is pretty easy to piss off. That’s just from the grapevine, though.

By: Rob Morris

Rob Morris — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:41:00 +0000

See, I have a different lifestyle. I don’t mind Gamestop, at all so I shop from there regularly. I’m not in college so I don’t need textbooks and I don’t have a kindle so I don’t get books from them (though I have been thinking about getting one). Christmas…well…I shop for less people than most so my Christmas shopping takes about 14 minutes.

By: Glen Watson

Glen Watson — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:32:00 +0000

Oh, and Bob is just stupid for doing something to piss off amazon, I mean if it is that bad, he deserved to not be in business.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:31:00 +0000

I understand loyalties for good customer service. Totally get that. But I don’t think any company is truly ‘Satanic’ unless I wouldn’t shop there even if they were the cheapest, most convenient buy. We both said we love Amazon and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.

By: Glen Watson

Glen Watson — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:26:00 +0000

Video Games, because Gamestop is Evil. Textbooks, because the college book stores charge more than Amazon + 1-day shipping combined. Christmas presents, because if I really had to go to the store to find something, I would never buy anyone anything.

By: Rob Morris

Rob Morris — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:07:00 +0000

Good points, Nick. I totally understand what you mean about bad business practices and high prices – believe me. I’ve completely stopped shopping at places that act like all they care about is my money. There are some places here, though, who will always get my business (as long as they are in business) because the people who run them are straight up guys / gals. They don’t try to bullshit me, they don’t try to overcharge me and they show a genuine interest in making sure I’m happy.

Like I said, I do use Amazon…a lot. I’ve bought gun accessories there, microphone cables, starter parts for my bike, brake pads for my bike, movies, music, all kinds of stuff. In just about every case, though, I did so because they were either the best price, nobody local had the goods I was looking for or a combination thereof.

What I can’t do, though, is forego shopping locally just because it’s more convenient to sit on the couch and make an order with my laptop. I know people who do that and mostly I want to smack them on the nose with a rolled up paper.